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Taiwanese electronic and optical vision glass maker Polytron Technologies has come up with an almost completely transparent smartphone, which is expected to launch by the end of this year.

Taiwanese electronic and optical vision glass maker Polytron Technologies has come up with an almost completely transparent smartphone, which is expected to launch by the end of this year.

The firm showed a prototype of the device, which makes use of Switchable Glass, a conductive OLED display that employs liquid crystal molelcules to show images to the user. The molecules are nearly see-through normally, but when an electric current passes through transparent wires the molecules align to display content.

Other companies, like Sony, have attempted to make “invisible” phones before, but none of them are anywhere near as transparent as the Polytron smartphone. The image speaks for itself, with the user's hand clearly visible through the device.

The memory card, SIM card, and battery can also be seen through the glass. Polytron will use darker glass to hide these parts if it cannot figure out a way to make them transparent also.

The device is expected to launch later this year, but there are some doubts about its viability as a contender to the major companies out there like Apple and Samsung. However, Polytron said it is in discussions with major smartphone makers across the world, which could see the glass being used by some of the big name brands.

The technology is certainly impressive in principle, but the technique used to display images might make them less clear or a lower resolution than rival devices. Many might also see a transparent phone as little more than a gimmick, and the high price tag we can likely expect for it might scare away all but the truly dedicated gadget lovers.